The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Furious Canada Punches Trump in the Face in Africa"

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Main Guests/Speakers: Prime Minister Mark Carney (Canada), U.S. Senators (Shaheen, Kramer, King), Charlie Angus (Midas Canada Leader)
Theme: Canada’s bold pivot away from Trump-led America, international diplomacy, U.S.-Canada trade tensions, and global reactions to Trump’s approach

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Canada’s assertive and unapologetic response to Donald Trump’s leadership and policies, particularly displayed at the recent G20 summit in South Africa. The Meiselas brothers break down how Prime Minister Mark Carney has distanced Canada from Trump’s America, actively strengthened alliances with other global powers, and become a symbol of principled resistance to authoritarian and transactional politics. The episode features sharp banter, in-depth analysis, and compelling audio clips from Carney, U.S. senators, and Canadian leaders—painting a vivid picture of shifting diplomatic relations and public sentiment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canada’s Show of Defiance at the G20 (00:56–03:42)

• G20 Exclusion: The United States, under Trump, was locked out of the summit’s closing ceremony by other world leaders, a move celebrated by the hosts as a humiliation for Trump.
  • “All of the world leaders, including Prime Minister Carney, locked the United States out… [Trump] was like, can I just send someone to show up to take the gavel?” (00:24, Ben)
• Carney’s Reluctance to Engage Trump: In press conferences, Carney underscores that his focus is entirely on building Canada, not accommodating Trump.
  • “We’ve had discussions. I’ve been busy… We passed a budget that’s going to catalyze a trillion dollars of investment. We have launched new trade agreements… So we’re busy. He’s got other things to do. And we'll re-engage when it’s appropriate.” (01:33–02:02, Carney)
  • “I look forward to speaking to the president soon. But I don’t have a burning issue to speak with the President about right now. When America wants to come back… we will have those discussions.” (02:25–03:01, Carney)

2. A Values-Based Realignment (03:42–06:48)

• Canada’s Values with Europe vs. U.S.: Carney signals that, while Canada must sometimes engage with the U.S., the depth of partnership is fundamentally different from ties with Europe, which are grounded in shared values—privacy, sustainability, gender equality, LGBTQ rights.
  • “Our partnership with the European Union… is unmatched… we have similar values… gender equality, LGBTQ rights, climate change, multilateralism.” (04:35–05:51, Carney)
  • “All relationships are not equal, they're not of equal depth…” (05:54–06:20, Carney)

3. Strengthening Alliances (Especially with India) (06:20–08:02)

• Pivot to India: Canada actively improves trade relations with India and explores tri-lateral cooperation with Australia, responding to U.S. alienation of potential allies.
  • “We’re looking to build… a potential trade agreement [with India]… and build on those opportunities.” (06:48, Carney)
  • “India is one of the leading developers of climate technology… [and] if we’re going to diversify our supply chains… India, South Korea are two of really the two main opportunities.” (07:20, Carney)

4. Trump’s Empty Threats and Economic Fallout (08:02–10:20)

• Tariff Tensions: Trump threatened severe tariffs on Canada but never implemented them.
  • “We monitor the federal registry and follow executive order activity… We haven’t seen any changes.” (09:25, quoting Flavio Volpe, Canadian auto industry leader)
• Bipartisanship Against Tariffs: U.S. senators from both parties at a Halifax conference call for ending damaging tariffs and getting trade deals like USMCA done.
  • “I also think… we ought to urge the administration to take up USMCA, get this trade deal done so that we can stop the tariffs. Because they are not only damaging your economy, they're damaging our economy.” (10:20, Sen. Shaheen)

5. Criticism Even from MAGA-aligned Senators (10:33–12:17)

• Sen. Kramer’s Frustration: North Dakota’s pro-Trump Senator Kramer admits the tariffs are inflationary and the administration knows it, quietly rolling them back.
  • “It’s becoming pretty clear to everybody… President has been taking down some tariffs little by little… he is noticing the inflationary outcome of some of those specific tariffs.” (11:25, Sen. Kramer)

6. Cultural and Economic Drift Between Canada and the U.S. (14:21–16:48)

• Tourism Boycotts & Social Divide: Canadian travelers are eschewing the U.S. in protest of Trump, which senators admit is hurting local economies and deepening the cultural rift.
  • “Canadians now see Americans as adversaries… there’s become a tension… much less travel from Canada to the States for pleasure. People are angry.” (14:21, Sen. Kramer)
  • “This is not a family breakup that’s going to result in… people hating each other. Both sides… are anxious to reunite.” (16:40, Sen. Kramer)

7. Mockery on the World Stage (17:23–19:40)

• America as ‘Punchline’: World leaders and experts openly ridicule the Trump administration’s global standing.
  • “The United States under Donald Trump was the butt of all jokes… mocked at this G20.” (17:23, Ben)
  • “Why isn't Donald Trump coming tomorrow? Because he has a four-year-old mentality… he's having a tantrum. The rest of the world says we don't want a king… he would come here as just one of 20 leaders or 21. He doesn't want that.” (18:43, Prof. Jeffrey Sachs)

8. Canadian Leaders on Rejection of Trump’s America (19:40–22:54)

• Charlie Angus on Canadian Sentiment: Canadians see staying out of Trump’s America as patriotic; tourism drops and trade realigns towards Europe.
  • “Canadians hate Donald Trump’s guts. They see not going to the United States as an act of patriotism.” (20:00, Charlie Angus)
  • “We look at you, Donald, and we see a diminished man. You’re not a leader. Come on, Donald, you’re just a creepy grifter... Whatever you do, Donald, Canada is moving on.” (21:28, Charlie Angus)
• Considering Closer Ties with China: In a remarkable shift, Angus argues that Canada now finds China at least as reliable as the U.S. for critical minerals and trade.
  • “China now views that Canada now views China as more reliable than the US… If we sign up with China, the Chinese economy is going to continue to grow. And what it will mean is that there will be a gate that China can close on the United States anytime they want in terms of access to the metals…” (22:54–24:58, Charlie Angus)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carney on Priorities
  • “I don’t sit around thinking, do I need to call Donald Trump? Canada is out there building a United Canada…” (01:12, Carney/Ben)
• Carney on Values
  • “We have similar values in terms of privacy… sustainability… gender equality, LGBTQ rights…” (04:35, Carney)
• Sen. Kramer’s Admission
  • “If you hadn’t noticed, the President has been taking down some tariffs… he is noticing the inflationary outcome… Softwood lumber… is probably the most obvious next inflationary product…” (11:25, Sen. Kramer)
• Charlie Angus’s Scathing Appraisal of Trump
  • “You’re just a creepy grifter and you think that you could push us around. It’s not going to happen. It’s never going to happen, Donald.” (21:51, Charlie Angus)
  • “Canadians hate Donald Trump’s guts. They see not going to the United States as an act of patriotism.” (20:00, Charlie Angus)
• Global Mockery
  • “Why isn’t Donald Trump coming tomorrow? Because he has a four-year-old mentality and he’s having a tantrum…” (18:43, Jeffrey Sachs)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Exclusion of the U.S. at G20; Carney’s Refusal to Engage Trump: 00:56–03:42
• Carney on Shared Values With Europe; Diminished U.S. Partnership: 03:42–06:48
• Pivot to India and Multinational Partnerships: 06:20–08:02
• Trump’s Tariff Threats and Their Consequences: 08:02–12:17
• Senators on Tariffs and Trade Friction: 10:20–12:17
• The Canada-U.S. Cultural Rift; Tourism and Public Opinion: 14:21–17:23
• Global Ridicule of Trump’s America at G20: 17:23–19:40
• Canada’s Turn Toward Europe/China; Angus on Patriotism and Trump: 19:40–24:58

Tone & Style

The Meiselas brothers maintain their signature mix of sharp political analysis, biting humor, and brotherly banter. The tone is brisk, unapologetically pro-democracy, and openly critical of Trump—contrasted with a sense of Canadian pride and seriousness, especially in quotes from world leaders and lawmakers.

Summary Takeaways

• Canada is boldly distancing itself from Trump’s America, both in rhetoric and action, signaling new global alliances anchored in shared values with Europe and Asia.
• American tariffs and Trump’s erratic diplomacy have led to bipartisan criticism and measurable economic fallout on both sides of the border.
• Canadian public opinion is overwhelmingly hostile to Trump, resulting in dramatic changes in travel and economic attitudes.
• Globally, the U.S. under Trump has become “the butt of the joke”—mocked by world leaders and losing its symbolic leadership position.
• Canadian leaders like Carney and Angus articulate a future-forward vision, making clear that Canada will no longer wait for America to return to its collaborative ideals.

For listeners and readers alike, this episode offers a candid, comprehensive, and often entertaining snapshot of a pivotal geopolitical pivot—and the personalities driving it.